The Wandering One

Chapter 8

When the two arrived back at the Ponderosa, Terrin pulled Lash up next to a fence and climbed down from there. Adam realized that while Terrin recognized him, it had been a long time and much had happened to her. He sighed, but told himself to be patient. If anything, he was more determined now than ever to win her trust and keep her safe. No one would hurt her again while he was around. He watched as she lightly smacked Lash's hindquarters after removing the bridle and the horse trotted off into oen country. He was amazed by the bond between the two.

He followed Terrin inside and placed her things they had retrieved into her room. As he left her room, Hopsing called the family to dinner.

After supper, Terrin retired to her room and Adam followed Ben to his study.

"Hey Pa, do you remember when we were on our way out here to settle and we stayed with a band of Sioux for a few days?"

"Of course!" Ben chuckled, "You had the time of your life! You and the chief's adopted daughter were inseparable. You two ran around the camp terrorizing everyone. As I recall, the chief gave you a name, something about a shadow. Why do you ask?"

"Do you remember me promising to find her again one day?"

"Of course I do. You ran away when you were fourteen to go looking for her as I recall. You're not planning on trying to hunt her down again are you?"

"No Pa. I don't have to."

"What on earth do you mean boy? Out with it!"

Adam's face split into a grin, "She's been living here with us for the last week, Pa. Terrin is Mika. She's the Sioux girl I became best friends with."

"How do you know for certain Adam?"

"Pa, you remember how I told you I had lost my copy of The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens?"

"Yes." Ben drew the word out giving Adam a strange look.

"I actually gave it to Mika, to remember me by. Even wrote a note in it and everything. Pa, Terrin has that book. Terrin is Mika."

Ben sat back in his chair in shock. He couldn't believe his ears. Could the young woman who had collapsed at his door, wounded and broken possibly be the same girl that was so carefree and strong willed that ran around the Sioux camp? He smiled fondly. He had enjoyed his stay with the Sioux and it had been wonderful to see Adam play and let go of the worries he carried with him. The Sioux had done more for the two of them than he could have ever asked. He wondered what had happened to them, and why Terrin was no longer with them.

Adam wandered up to bed and lay awake for at least an hour, remembering and wondering all about Terrin. Eventually he fell asleep with a contented smile on his face.

Adam jerked awake, it was still pitch black outside, what on earth had awoken him? Then a scream split the silence and sent him barreling out of his room and down the stairs. The scream was from Terrin's room! He burst in with Ben right behind him. Terrin was tossing violently in her bed, eyes still shut and fighting something in her dreams.

"She's going to hurt herself," Ben muttered crossing the room to her side. Adam followed and held down her shoulders while Ben smoothed her hair out of her face as her eyes flew open wide in terror.

"It's ok my dear, it was just a dream. It's alright Terrin. You're safe," Ben spoke soothingly as he gently pushed Terrin's shaggy black hair out of her eyes. Terrin began to sob and when Adam released her, she clung to Ben, whimpering.

"Please don't let them get me again! I don't want to go back. Please don't let them hurt me again," she sobbed, clinging to Ben's shirt. Ben gathered her into his arms and hugged her as only a father can. He held her, while Adam watched helplessly, until her sobs faded and she fell asleep again. He gently lay her down and pulled the covers over her. He then clasped a hand on Adam's shoulder and led him out of the room.

"She should be ok for the rest of the night. Let's get some shut eye."

Adam nodded in agreement and returned to his room. He lay awake for the second time that night, lost in thought. He had seen nightmares elicit that much terror only once before. It was right after Little Joe's mother had died. Joe had nightmares like these for a month afterwards. Ben had always gone and held him and soothed him just as he had done for Terrin. Adam shuddered to think of what must have happened to Terrin to cause her to have nightmares like that.